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Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]
AppWizard
September 15, 2026

Steam Price-Fixing Lawsuit: Valve, 10 Publishers Sued [2026]

On August 27, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court by three California gamers—Alexander Shimota, Ricardo Camargo, and John Elliott—against Valve Corporation and ten video game publishers, accusing them of colluding to maintain uniform pricing for PC games across digital storefronts. The lawsuit alleges that Valve requires publishers on its Steam platform to agree to a most-favored-nation clause, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms, which stifles competition and limits consumer choice. The ten implicated publishers include Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The lawsuit is filed under California's Cartwright Act and claims that the coordinated pricing strategy harms consumers by reducing product diversity and inflating prices. Valve's commission structure, which has largely remained unchanged, is central to the plaintiffs' argument. Valve's co-founder, Gabe Newell, has previously denied dictating prices to third-party developers. The lawsuit is distinct from a prior case, Wolfire Games v. Valve, which focuses on monopoly abuse against developers rather than consumer pricing. Additionally, Valve faces a parallel £2 billion class action in the UK regarding similar pricing allegations. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact the pricing landscape for PC games and the practices of digital storefronts.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
September 14, 2026

Our World of Warcraft Forever hype is dampened by $30 elves: New Skyborne race locked behind expansion-tier purchase

World of Warcraft: Forever will include a significant portion of content with a standard WoW subscription, but the new Skyborne Elf race and its starter zone will cost an additional .99 through the Skyborne Hero Pack. This pack includes the elf race, a mount, cosmetics, housing decorations, and early name reservation. The pricing strategy aligns with industry standards, but some community members find it steep compared to other games. Historically, expansion packs have been priced around .99, while the most recent WoW expansion was priced at .99. Future classes in Forever may adopt a similar monetization strategy, which raises concerns among long-time fans about diverging from classic WoW principles.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
September 13, 2026

Diablo 5 gameplay details from BlizzCon: More classes than ever before, procedurally-generated dungeons, and Diablo 2-style loot

At BlizzCon 2026, it was announced that Diablo 5 will be set a century after Diablo 4, exploring the aftermath of the demon's impact on Sanctuary. The game is projected for release in spring 2029 and aims to address player feedback from Diablo 4. The narrative will feature Diablo as a central character rather than just a final boss, and players will work to restore Westmarch. Key features include procedurally-generated dungeons, a caravan of NPCs instead of traditional towns, returning classes like the demon hunter and monk, and new classes such as the plague knight. The game will launch with more classes than any previous installment, and items will have a tiered system and occupy multiple inventory slots. Blizzard plans to provide regular updates on the game's development starting next year.
Why is Blizzard still announcing games years ahead of release? 'We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward'
AppWizard
September 13, 2026

Why is Blizzard still announcing games years ahead of release? ‘We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets coming forward’

Reactions to the StarCraft trailer at BlizzCon were mixed, with excitement turning to disappointment upon seeing the release date of 2030. The game will be an "open world shooter," diverging from the franchise's traditional format. Diablo 5 is announced for a 2029 release, just six years after Diablo 4. Many gamers are skeptical of long advance announcements due to frequent delays. Blizzard's leadership aims to instill confidence in their projects, emphasizing a commitment to timely releases. Despite potential layoffs at Microsoft, Blizzard has avoided significant fallout and is focused on showcasing its projects and maintaining a positive atmosphere at BlizzCon.
All the key details on HoYo's co-op monster slayer Nodusfall
AppWizard
August 29, 2026

All the key details on HoYo’s co-op monster slayer Nodusfall

Nodusfall is a co-op action game developed by miHoYo, blending elements from Elden Ring and Monster Hunter. Players can pre-register for future beta opportunities. The game features dark fantasy visuals and co-op combat mechanics, allowing players to battle mythical creatures inspired by various mythologies. Players assume the role of a "Weaver," tasked with restoring order to a continent plagued by the "Dreadnodi." The game will include diverse landscapes and is designed for up to four players to collaborate against formidable bosses. Unique features include powerful "Divine Skills," cinematic finishing moves, and a focus on squad diversity. Players can switch roles and loadouts freely, enhancing gameplay variety. Nodusfall does not feature character gacha mechanics; characters are earned through gameplay, though cosmetic monetization may be included.
Tarae: The Unbound is an 'Eastern dark fantasy' action RPG, and I for one am here for K-Diablo
AppWizard
August 25, 2026

Tarae: The Unbound is an ‘Eastern dark fantasy’ action RPG, and I for one am here for K-Diablo

Many enthusiasts are experiencing fatigue towards the action role-playing game (ARPG) genre. The trailer for Tarae: The Unbound was revealed during Gamescom 2026, showcasing a fresh aesthetic that diverges from typical dark themes in ARPGs. The game promises a vibrant reimagining of Eastern mythology and folklore, featuring battles set against serene Buddhist temples and formidable foes inspired by East Asian monster illustrations. One character class includes an elderly gentleman wielding a matchlock gun that fires rapidly. Tarae: The Unbound is set to be released on December 11 and is available for wishlisting on Steam.
Minecraft Dungeons II gameplay takes us on a weird adventure
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II gameplay takes us on a weird adventure

Minecraft Dungeons II has revealed a new gameplay trailer showcasing its features, including a new dimension called the Sift. This realm offers unique landscapes, enemies, and cooperative gameplay for up to four players, both online and locally. The game will expand on the original with new areas, enemies, missions, equipment, and character customization, while maintaining a loot-driven progression system. Minecraft Dungeons II is set to launch on September 29, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo platforms.
David Brevik, creator of Diablo, reveals the 'worst ending' to any game he's played: 'But I really love the game. It's amazing'
AppWizard
August 16, 2026

David Brevik, creator of Diablo, reveals the ‘worst ending’ to any game he’s played: ‘But I really love the game. It’s amazing’

David Brevik co-founded Condor and pitched Diablo to Blizzard Entertainment, which became a cornerstone of the action role-playing game genre. He is currently the President of Skystone Games, which has released titles like Tiny Bookshop and Mistfall Hunter. Brevik is revisiting Marvel Heroes, where he served as creative director and later CEO until the game was shut down. He enjoys playing Minecraft with family and friends and has invested over 400 hours into No Man's Sky. Brevik regularly revisits EverQuest, logging thousands of hours, and also plays EQ '99. He uses Visual Studio for programming and works on game prototypes almost daily. His desktop is cluttered with about 300 icons for games, development tools, and notes.
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